I'm almost on the opposite side of that coin. Hyman wasn't overly strong or physical, but he battled and he was _on_ you quickly. He didn't have the best hands, but they were good enough. He went to the net with or without the puck and with speed.

I don't feel he won as many battles as the press made it out to be, but by creating chaos he did cause turnovers and flush the puck out of protected areas. I think Matthews won more puck battles and retrieved more pucks than Hyman did.

For all that, I think we're going to miss him. My optimism (as shaky as it is) lays in the idea that they are trying to formulate a real defensive line, they'll have an actual PK'ing Centre, and offensively the guys they've plopped in have the potential to provide goals equivalent to Hyman. I don't think any success comes without further evolution of the play for each of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, though.
- Monkeypunk

I don't disagree with you but for me it basically boils down to hard work, and that should be the easiest skill to replicate. It's not a talent thing, it's a work ethic thing.

It is possible if they can have someone fill his spot who can be first on the puck and tough to move off of it, he's not that difficult to replace.

Perhaps a guy like Ritchie is able to make up for being first on the puck by just being the guy who doesn't care if he was first or last he's just taking the damn puck and you're not having it back. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Ok, how do you rate Hyman vs Ritchie on speed?
- Canada Cup

As I mentioned up top, I don't think the Leafs have relied on a north-south, speed and transition game for some time now. We're largely a possession-based team that doesn't like to dump and chase.

To wit: the Leafs aren't beating teams with speed any more. Whether Ritchie is slower (he is) than Hyman or not is irrelevant to his effectiveness on that line: he will crash and bang in corners if the puck goes there, he will cause havoc in front of the net, and he will crack skulls when necessary.

I like Hyman and will miss him. He blossomed into a nuisance type player who was relentless on the boards and almost never took stupid penalties. I'll miss his smug face skating away from super stirred up opponents. I don't 5.5Miss him though.

I think Ritchie has a real opportunity to shine on the top line as long as he doesn't revert into knucklehead mode. This last point is what concerns me the most as the Leafs lack grit and I'm hoping he doesn't feel the need to go beast mode a la Clarkson frequently. (Gabriel may get some playing time if this becomes a thing)

I'm almost on the opposite side of that coin. Hyman wasn't overly strong or physical, but he battled and he was _on_ you quickly. He didn't have the best hands, but they were good enough. He went to the net with or without the puck and with speed.

I don't feel he won as many battles as the press made it out to be, but by creating chaos he did cause turnovers and flush the puck out of protected areas. I think Matthews won more puck battles and retrieved more pucks than Hyman did.

For all that, I think we're going to miss him. My optimism (as shaky as it is) lays in the idea that they are trying to formulate a real defensive line, they'll have an actual PK'ing Centre, and offensively the guys they've plopped in have the potential to provide goals equivalent to Hyman. I don't think any success comes without further evolution of the play for each of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, though.
- Monkeypunk

So, you dont think Hyman was overrated...however, he didnt have the best hands (average), he didnt win many battles but he went to the net and did cause some turn overs. Sounds like an average NHL'er that plays a certain style.
I think he was overrated simply because the leafs lack that certain style of player.
Time will tell how the bargain bin replacements do, but I am on the side of I think some people and media overrated Hyman, simply because we have some soft upper echelon players.

So, you dont think Hyman was overrated...however, he didnt have the best hands (average), he didnt win many battles but he went to the net and did cause some turn overs. Sounds like an average NHL'er that plays a certain style.
I think he was overrated simply because the leafs lack that certain style of player.
Time will tell how the bargain bin replacements do, but I am on the side of I think some people and media overrated Hyman, simply because we have some soft upper echelon players.
- Fakepartofme

Absolutely agreed.

Of course, Hyman will now score 40 goals with McJesus and Drysaddle, amirite/amirov?

No morning practices with baseball 🤨
And no dryland training
- mr.sir

Well technically its all dry land training.


But ya, hockey has some messed up practice times due to availability of rink for sure.
Those would suck.

I don't disagree with you but for me it basically boils down to hard work, and that should be the easiest skill to replicate. It's not a talent thing, it's a work ethic thing.

It is possible if they can have someone fill his spot who can be first on the puck and tough to move off of it, he's not that difficult to replace.

Perhaps a guy like Ritchie is able to make up for being first on the puck by just being the guy who doesn't care if he was first or last he's just taking the damn puck and you're not having it back. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

Lest we forget he's from Orangeville and probably had Leafs jammies growing up. What does this mean? 110% effort from him, of course!

People seem to forget that Ritchie sucks ass and was basically benched as a 4th liner by the time things got hard.

The second he got taken off the PP he went back to what he is. A mediocre 3rd line physical guy.

Agreed, Leafs may not even miss him.. Time will tell.
- bixll

If we’re comparing foot speed and getting to the puck between Hyman and Ritchie I think we’ll miss him more then we think.

If Bunting or some other faster guy takes his spot, maybe not.

As I mentioned up top, I don't think the Leafs have relied on a north-south, speed and transition game for some time now. We're largely a possession-based team that doesn't like to dump and chase.

To wit: the Leafs aren't beating teams with speed any more. Whether Ritchie is slower (he is) than Hyman or not is irrelevant to his effectiveness on that line: he will crash and bang in corners if the puck goes there, he will cause havoc in front of the net, and he will crack skulls when necessary.

I like Hyman and will miss him. He blossomed into a nuisance type player who was relentless on the boards and almost never took stupid penalties. I'll miss his smug face skating away from super stirred up opponents. I don't 5.5Miss him though.

I think Ritchie has a real opportunity to shine on the top line as long as he doesn't revert into knucklehead mode. This last point is what concerns me the most as the Leafs lack grit and I'm hoping he doesn't feel the need to go beast mode a la Clarkson frequently. (Gabriel may get some playing time if this becomes a thing)
- mjones242

They played some of both styles in the regular season and the Matthews line had some success when they were able to get on the puck either through a dump in or through some good offensive checking. Hyman was good at both and the quick strike of the two skilled players off turnovers was effective.

They got away from that in the playoffs and relied more on pure possession. The results were suboptimal.

I don't disagree with you but for me it basically boils down to hard work, and that should be the easiest skill to replicate. It's not a talent thing, it's a work ethic thing.

It is possible if they can have someone fill his spot who can be first on the puck and tough to move off of it, he's not that difficult to replace.

Perhaps a guy like Ritchie is able to make up for being first on the puck by just being the guy who doesn't care if he was first or last he's just taking the damn puck and you're not having it back. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

Imagine making the NHL but not working hard. What a bummer to have guys like that on your fav team.

They played some of both styles in the regular season and the Matthews line had some success when they were able to get on the puck either through a dump in or through some good offensive checking. Hyman was good at both and the quick strike of the two skilled players off turnovers was effective.

They got away from that in the playoffs and relied more on pure possession. The results were suboptimal.
- Canada Cup

I think we may have watched different teams last season.

People seem to forget that Ritchie sucks ass and was basically benched as a 4th liner by the time things got hard.
- AdamFrench

But all that will change with Toronto. Cause.
Just like Kase will be a super healthy superstar and Ho sang will become the player he was meant to be and not the AHL/ECHL he is.

People seem to forget that Ritchie sucks ass and was basically benched as a 4th liner by the time things got hard.

The second he got taken off the PP he went back to what he is. A mediocre 3rd line physical guy.
- AdamFrench

So worst case...we are paying him what he is worth.

Fair enough.

I think we may have watched different teams last season.
- mjones242

You never saw Hyman on the forecheck? Yeah, it happened. It wasn’t their exclusive system and they got away from it in the playoffs.

So worst case...we are paying him what he is worth.

Fair enough.
- Leafs43

Yes. I'm hoping 14g-20a from him and if he hits that or goes above, sweet!

Yes.
- AdamFrench

Now hit me with the best case.

Now hit me with the best case.
- Leafs43

He plays with Matthews and Marner and scores 30..

People seem to forget that Ritchie sucks ass and was basically benched as a 4th liner by the time things got hard.

The second he got taken off the PP he went back to what he is. A mediocre 3rd line physical guy.
- AdamFrench

I can't think of a better fit

But all that will change with Toronto. Cause.
Just like Kase will be a super healthy superstar and Ho sang will become the player he was meant to be and not the AHL/ECHL he is.
- Fakepartofme

Ho Sang costs us nothing and for $1.25M maybe we get a skilled Kase for half or a quarter season.

People seem to forget that Ritchie sucks ass and was basically benched as a 4th liner by the time things got hard.

The second he got taken off the PP he went back to what he is. A mediocre 3rd line physical guy.
- AdamFrench

I’ve been waiting for this.

Borderline delusional for people to try and project Ritchie into a first line role where he will become every bit as effective as Hyman.

Some folks think Leafs might get pushed around this year and may struggle in the second half to make the playoffs.

I can't think of a better fit
- TheMussel

Gramps still would have taken him over Hotlander.

Borderline delusional for people to try and project Ritchie into a first line role where he will become every bit as effective as Hyman.

Some folks think Leafs might get pushed around this year and may struggle in the second half to make the playoffs.
- spatso

Which folks, Spatso? Pierre McGuirre?

Which folks, Spatso?
- Canada Cup

On the Sens discussion thread.

Yes. I'm hoping 14g-20a from him and if he hits that or goes above, sweet!
- AdamFrench

I still maintain that a player who knows their role, and just does the work can get 50 points if they are playing with Matthews/Marner. They will supply the skill.

Give Marner the puck and go to the net - that's a simple recipe for success if you are on that LW.

I fully believe that Matthews/Marner were the ones who got Hyman his 40 million. I think that is why both Ritchie and Bunting signed here for less money than they could have gotten elsewhere...They want to have a couple bigish years before they go UFA at 27 years or so.